Artificial tooth



Dec. 9, 1952 v R. l.. FoLsoM 2,620,562

ARTIFICIAL TOOTH Filed Feb. 12, 1949 2 SHEETS- SHEET 1 l l /2 1N VEN TOR.

// ffm/0A L Fom' BY /bw, jaah/Uma Dec. 9, 1952 v R. L.. FoLsoM 2,620,562

' ARTIFICIAL TooTH Filed Feb. 12, 1949 2, SHEETS- SHEET 2 INVENTOR.

Patented Dec. 9, 1 952 ARTIFICIAL TOOTH Ralph L. Folsom, Salt Lake City, Utah, assigner to Austenal Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 12, V194:9, Serial No. 76,046

7 Claims.

"This'finventlon l'relates to artificial teeth.

The invention has rvparticularrelation to `improvements in the formation of posterior teeth A(1; e., `bicuspid, and 4molarteeth) ,and Yhas v-reference especially to improvements lin theformation of the oc-clusal 'surfaces of such teeth.

A study of comparative anatomy Vrevealsfthat the occlusal form provided by nature, while'having a wide variation, was designed with an .effi- Iciency peculiar Itothe diet ofvtheanimal. vThe 'carnivorous yor meat-eating animals have sharp fcusps whose close lnterdigitation vand condylar mechanism permits little, if any, lateral excursion. Their Yocclusal :form-presents -a cutting mechanism.

The herbivorous orplanteating animals possess la relativelyfflat occlusal form andafcondyle joint Twhich allows ywide lateral movements withe- Jcient grinding action.

The omnivorous type, including man, subsists ona mixeddiet and has a--modii'led cusp formation on the occlusal surfaces: of the posterior teeth, vand a more complex temperomandibular -'articulation.

Since the omnivorous group requires looth ithe `cutting action of `theiirst typ'efand'the grinding -action of the second type, Imansfmandibular excursionsare a combination of the-other-two. `In other words, his masticatoryact maybe divided into two 'distinct phases; first, the Yniandible moves laterally and piercesthe food with the buc- Alcalcusps ofthe upper and lower'posterior teeth opposing each-'other and the lingualcuspsrin corresponding relation. This is the cutting action,

*and its eiclency'is measured `by the sharpness A'of' the cusps, withthe force `directed-in the long Yaxis ofthe teeth. Upon-cusp contactthemandblemoves laterally into-centric, with'a grindingaction.

Natures pattern of vocclusal form, with the teeth embedded firmly in the` alveolar process, furnishes an efficient masticating mechanism, provided noabnormality is present. However, in naturalteeth, the cusps on the occlusal surfaces of the lower posterior teethare onfa curvey which 'is concave downwardly from 'front to rear, fand the cusps on the occlusal surfaces of the upper posterior teeth are on a curve which is convex -downwardly from front to rear -to match 'the 'curve of Athe'cusps of the lower teeth. On the "other hand, in denture prosthesis it has been founddesirable tolocate the` cusps on theocclusal jsurfacesin single vplanesinstead'of on curves as 'are the'naturalteeth.

.The curves mentioned in the preceding'paragraph are known as compensating curvescrfthe curves of Spee. 'Ihey .vary indifferent mouths.

lDisposition .in denture prosthesis l of the vcusps iin Va single planchas been foundbestsuited for accommodating artificial teeth to diierentmouths without custom making .the teeth inaccordance with the different curves of Spee-in eachimvouth.

Artificial teethwith the cusps vonthe occlusal surfaces in rsingle planes have lbeen.,previously proposed. Various nonanatomic cusp, forms have kalso been proposed for the single gplane-occlusal surfaces of the teeth. In one type of cusp form. the cusps have been dened by curvedvgrooves in an effort to avoid cusp interference in mandible movement.

These prior forms of posterior .teeth with the cusps on the occlusal surfacesl ina single plane have, however, sacrificed masticating efficiency in an effort to avoidcusp interference. 4Ithas been proposed, kfor example, in certain prior iart curvedggroove formations to have the cusps not only on the working or chewing side of the mouth engage in the grooves in the occlusal surfaces of the teeth on the oppositejaw ,on that sidahut also to have the .cusps on the. opposite or balancing side of the mouthengage in thegrooves in lthe occlusal surfaces Yof 4the teeth on the opposite `they effectively guided on the apiceszof .the cusps of such teeth in the movements ofthefmandible. lvlasticatmg enlclency 1s, therefore, sacrificed and the appearance differs from the appearance of rnatural posterior teeth. vMoreovenxthe desired Ustability of the articialdentureis not-.obtained lAccording to the present finvention, ,I :provide an articial tooth having an .occlusalesurface provided with cusps ylocated in v`a single plane. The Vcusp formations,instead of :being Ldenedxby curved grooves or `other.non-anatomic formations, are patterned after the cusp giormationspof corresponding natural teeth rexcept-only thatthe portions of such cusp formations whichwould interfere in mandible movement due tolocationof the apices of the cusps in a single plane areremoved oreliminated to eliminate any .tendency vto cusp interference. The remaining parts :ofthe cusp formation correspond substantially to the cusp formation of the corresponding natural tooth.

The chief advantage of the present invention is in the ability to provide better action and better masticating efficiency than obtained with the prior art forms of posterior teeth having the cusps located in a single plane and with, for example, curved grooves or other non-anatomic formations defining the cusps on the occlusal surface of the tooth.

Another advantage of the invention lies in the ability to provide better stability in the mouth of a denture having the new and improved posterior teeth.

A further advantage of the invention lies in the ability to provide in the new and improved posterior tooth an appearance which more closely simulates the appearance of a corresponding .natural tooth.

Numerous other advantages and adaptations of =the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred form of the invention.

In order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the construction and operation of the improved form of posterior teeth embodying the present invention, I shall now describe in connec- -tion with the accompanying drawings one form of a set of artificial teeth embodying the invention.

shown in Figure 1, this view being taken from the cheek or buccal side of the teeth;

` Figure 4 is a side View similar to Figure 3 of four of the artificial posterior teeth embodying Athe present invention;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5f-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a sectional View takenon the line Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a pair of cooperating natural posterior teeth, one

for the maxilla or upper jaw and the other for the Ymandible or lower jaw, and showing the cusp interference that results when the apices of the Vcusps of these teeth are located in single planes;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure 7 of a pair of corresponding articial posterior teeth embodying the present invention and showing the absence of cusp interference when the apices of the cusps of these teeth are located in a single plane;

- Figure 9 is a fragmentary side View of upper and lower dentures including molar and bisouspid teeth formed according to the present invention and illustrating the relation and interdigitation of the cusps on the occlusal surfaces at the working or chewing side of the mouth, this view being taken from the cheek or buccal side;

and

Figure is a fragmentary side view similar to :Figure 9 but taken from the opposite or balancing side of the mouth to show how the apices '4 of the cusps on the teeth at this side of the denture are effectively guided on the apices of the cusps on the teeth of the opposite denture.

The drawings illustrate in Figure 2, taken in conjunction with Figures 9 and l0, the invention applied to the case where all the posterior teeth in both the upper and lower jaws are replaced by artificial teeth.

It is to be understood, however, that the invention is also applicable in cases requiring full upper and partial lower replacement of the posterior teeth; full lower and partial upper replacement; and partial upper and partial lower replacement of the posterior teeth. It is to be further understood that the teeth of the present invention may, within the scope of the appended claims, be used not only on full removable dentures, but also on removable as Well as stationary partial dentures or bridge work.

The points shown at I and 2 in-Figure 2 represent respectively the right and left centers of rotation about whichl the mandible moves. The right hand portion of Figure2 shows two right lower bicuspid teeth 3, and two right lower molar teeth 4. The left hand portion of Figure 2 shows two left lower bicuspid teeth 5, and two lower molar teeth 6. Y ,Y

As shown in Figure 9,'the upper right fhand posterior teeth include two bicuspid teeth I and two molar teeth 8, the occlusal surfaces of which cooperate with and are complementaryto -the occlusal surfaces of the lower left hand bicuspids 5 and lower left hand molars '6. The upper right hand posterior teeth (Figure 10) include two -bi cuspid teeth 9 and two molar teeth Ill, Ythe occlusal surfaces of which cooperate with and are complementary to the occlusalY surfaces Vof-trhe lower right hand bicuspids 3 and lower left hand molars li. Y Y

The natural posterior teeth II, as shown in Figures 1, 3, and 5, have cusps I2 on their occlusal surfaces. These cusps I2 are defined by depressions or recesses I3. As shown Vin Figure 3, the apices I4 of the cusps I2 on the occlusal surfaces of the lower natural posterior teeth are on a curve shown by the dot and dash line a-a, which is concave downwardly from front to rear of the mouth. The apices of the cusps on the occlusal surfaces of the upper natural posterior lteeth (not shown) are on a curve which is convex downwardly from front to rear of the mouth to match the curve of the cusps on the lower teeth.

According to the present invention, I make tooth patterns having cusp formations on their occlusal surfaces corresponding with `the cusp formations on the occlusal surfaces of corresponding natural posterior teeth. The tooth patterns may be formed of wax or other'suitable pattern material.

rIhe posterior tooth patterns a-re then seit up for the upper and lower jaws on an articulator and with the apices of the cusps of the tooth patterns for one jaw in ar single plane and the apices `of the cusps of the tooth patterns for the other jaw also in a single plane. The articulator is then manipulated to simulate the movements or excursions of the mandible or lower Vjaw in order to determine the portions of the cusp formations which interfere in mandible movement due to location of the apices of the cusps in single planes instead of on the curves of Spee as in the naturalposterior teeth.

Figure 2 shows at I5 the median line at which the arcs struckfiom "th right "an'dleft centers I and 'Zintersect The arcs form what is known "asxthe Gothic arch. Figure '7 shows the portions ofthe cusps I2 which-'interfere at I6 in mandible movement before removing the interfering cusp portions from the occlusal surfaces of the tooth patterns. Y

Upon thus ascertaining, which portions of the formations interfere in mandible moveinent, vthese 'interfering cusp formations arev re'- moved or eliminated. This may be done, for ex'- ample, by carving the occlusal surfaces of the tooth patterns to remove or eliminate the interfering cusp portions, or otherwise as desired. The resulting cusp formations have the apices of the cusps in single planes.

After eliminating the interfering cusp formations, I make the artificial posterior teeth from the tooth patterns thus formed. As illustrated in Figures 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10, the cusps on the occlusal surfaces of the resulting teeth are shown at l2', and the depressions or recesses defining the cusps I2 are shown at I3. The apices I4 of the cusps are located in single planes, and, as shown in Figure 8, there is no cusp interference in mandible movement.

In the improved posterior teeth, the angles of the sides of the cusps relative to the single plane in which the apices of the cusps are disposed are preferably made less than in the prior artificial teeth with the cusps defined by curved grooves, and they are also preferably made less than the angles of corresponding anatomic teeth. In the more specific aspects of the invention, it is contemplated that these angles will not exceed about 20 degrees, although the angles of the sides of the cusps may vary within the 4broader aspects of the invention.

In use of cooperating artificial dentures for upper and lower jaws with four of the improved posterior teeth of the present invention on each side of each jaw, the cusps on the working or chewing side interdigitate as shown in Figure 9 in mandible movement. In other words, when the lower jaw is moved laterally toward the right or left, the cusps on each lower posterior tooth will move freely through the depressions or recesses I3 in the opposing teeth on the working or chewing side of the mouth. At the same time the apices I4 of the cusps I2 on the teeth on the opposite or balancing side of the lower denture are effectively guided as shown in Figure 10 on the apices of the cusps on the opposing teeth on the balancing side of the mouth.

By the structure shown and described, cusp interference between the teeth is eliminated and, at the same time, better masticating efficiency is obtained. Moreover, with the improved tooth structure of the present invention it is possible to provide posterior teeth which more closely simulate the appearance of corresponding natural teeth but with which the cusp interference, which would result if teeth of natural form were arranged with the apices of the cusps thereof in single planes, is avoided.

In the preferred form of the improved teeth of the present invention, the bodies of the teeth are made narrower buccally lingually than the `bodies of corresponding natural posterior teeth.

This narrowing of the bodies of the improved teeth buccally lingually may be omitted or varied within the broader aspects of the invention.. However, stability of removable dentures in the mouth is improved where the improved teeth are narrower buccally lingually than corresponding natural teeth.

'The embodimentv offthe invention shown in the drawings is for illustrative purposes only, `and it is to be expressly understood that said drawings andthe accompanying;'specification' are not to be construed as a'fdefinition ofthe limits or scope ofthe invention, reference being had to the appended claims vfor that purpose.

I claim:

1. An artificial `posterior `tooth having an occlusal surface providedwith a cusp formationjof modified anatomic form patterned after 'and following the cusp formation of a corresponding natural tooth except only that the cusps of said cusp formation have their apices located in a single plane and the portions of said cusp forma tion which would interfere in mandible movement due to such location of the apices of the cusps in a single plane are eliminated, the cusp formation otherwise corresponding to the cusp formation of a corresponding natural posterior tooth.

2. An artificial posterior tooth according to claim 1 wherein the body of the tooth is narrower buccally lingually than a corresponding natural posterior tooth.

3. An artificial posterior tooth according to claim 1 wherein the angles of the sides of the cusps do not exceed angles of about 20 degrees.

4. An artificial tooth having the sides, occlusal surface and cusp formation on such occlusal surface corresponding with the sides, occlusal surface and cusp formation of a corresponding natural tooth except that the occlusal surface and cusp formation thereon are 0f modified anatomic form having the apices of the cusps thereon located in a single plane at substantially right angles to the vertical axis of the tooth and the portions of the cusp formation which would interfere in mandible movement due to the location of the apices of the cusps in a single plane are eliminated to eliminate any tendency to cusp interference, the remaining portions of the cusp formation corresponding substantially to the cusp formation of a corresponding natural tooth.

5. In combination, cooperating artificial den tures having a plurality of posterior teeth thereon arranged to cooperate with the teeth of the other denture, the posterior teeth of each denture having cusp formations of modified anatomic form corresponding with the cusp formations on the occlusal surfaces of corresponding natural posterior teeth except only that the apices of the cusps of the posterior teeth of each denture are 1ocated in a single plane and the portions of said cusp formations which would interfere in mandible movement due to such location of the apices of the cusps in a single plane are eliminated to eliminate any tendency to cusp inter ference, the remaining portions of the cusp formations corresponding to the cusp formations of corresponding natural posterior teeth and the angles of the sides of the cusps not exceeding angles of about 20 degrees whereby in use the cusps of one denture on the working side of the mouth engage between the cusps of the opposite denture and, on the balancing side of the mouth, the apices of the cusps on the teeth of one denture are effectively guided on the apices of the cusps on the teeth of the opposite denture.

6. Artificial dentures according to claim 5 wherein the bodies of the artificial posterior teeth are narrower buccally lingually than corresponding natural posterior teeth.

7. Artificial dentures according to claim 5 wherein the bodies of the artificial posterior teeth are narrower buccally lingually than the bodies of corresponding natural posterior teeth, and wherein the sides of the articial posterior teeth correspond in general to the sides of corresponding natural posterior teeth.

RALPH L. FOLSOM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fue of this patent:

8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,751,178 Taeschner Mar. 18, 1930 1,837,042 Hall Dec. 15, 1931 5 2,129,040 Sears Sept. 6, 1938 2,417,965 Beresin Mar. 25, 1947 OTHER REFERENCES Sears, Vctor, Non-Anatomic Tooth Forms, 10 Dental Survey, September 1935. pgs. 35-38 (see 

